Hollins at Virginia Wesleyan | Saturday, December 2, 2023 | Va. Beach, Va.
 
The Basics 
Score: Hollins 63, Virginia Wesleyan 65 (OT) 
Records: Hollins 3-5 / 0-5 ODAC | Marlins 2-4 / 1-3 ODAC

The Lead: The Green and Gold made the long trip to the eastern shore to take on Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon. The two Old Dominion Athletic Conference foes came into the matchup looking for their first conference win of the season. Hollins raced out to an early lead only to see the Marlins enjoying a three-point lead at the half. The VWU advantage grew to 13 but a fourth quarter rally cut the deficit to just a single basket. A shot at the buzzer would send the game into overtime. In the extra frame, the Marlins grew a seven-point lead. Hollins got to within a hoop but couldn't close out the comeback, falling 65-63 for their second overtime loss in their last two games.
Highlights 

• A Sarah Morales layup capped a 5-0 run to start the game. A three-point run by the home team put Virginia Wesleyan in front before a Cabria Mutz layup saw HU up 10-9. However, back-to-back Marlin hops made it 13-10 after one quarter of play.
• Destiny Hoover tied the score at 18-18 with a layup at the 4:35 mark. After Wesleyan re-took the lead, Morales hit a jump shot to cut it to one ahead of a Marlin bucket to make it 27-24 at the half.
• The third quarter belonged to the home team as the Marlins would take a 13-point cushion into the fourth period.
• Down 48-40, a Mutz score sparked a 7-1 run to cut it to two with just over 4:30 left on the clock. Trailing by seven, Morales scored five in a row to cut it to two. With 12 seconds left, Mutz made one of two from the stripe forcing Hollins t0 foul. After hitting one of two, Hoover got loose in the paint and her layup at the buzzer rolled around and through to force overtime for the second consecutive game.
• HU was down seven until a Missy Hazard three and Erin Allen layup made it 63-61. Hollins had to foul after two made free throws the Wesleyan lead held up despite a late stick back by Zaria Holden.
• Morales recorded the first double-double of her young career with 12 points and 10 rebounds while Mutz led HU with 14 points and nine boards. Hoover made it a trio in double figures with 10 and Allen finished with eight points, six rebounds, two steals and a pair of blocked shots.

Up Next: Hollins wraps up the first semester with a visit from Guilford on Wednesday night. The opening tip with the Quakers is scheduled for 7pm.